Payroll Puzzlement

[Dreamstalker]

I think mom and I broke the payroll person's brain last week.

Mom was out of town the day checks were distributed, so she texted me to ask if I could pick it up (she has direct deposit, but for some reason it still hasn't kicked in yet). I figured I could do so, so I wander into the office when I get off shift. I had gotten my check directly from J earlier that day.

I don't even finish asking, and the payroll manager (PM) says "No, nobody can just pick up someone else's check. Did your mother give me a written authorization?"

Me: "We were not informed we needed one. She had to go out of town unexpectedly and just texted me now, I can show you the text message. We live together."
PM: "I can't accept a text. All she needs to do is give me a signed note authorizing you to pick up her checks if she can't."
Me: "Okay, I'll have her give you a signed authorization that I can get her checks."
PM: "Yup, that's all I need from her."

When mom gets back, I tell her what the payroll manager told me. When she picks her check up (long after the holiday, which kinda screws us slightly on the rent), she mentions something to PM to confirm what I had been told.

PM: "No. Nobody can pick up another person's check. That's against policy." [a 'policy' that is not mentioned anywhere in the handbook]
Mom: "My daughter Dreamstalker was in here on Wednesday and asked you about it. She was told that I could submit a written authorization to let her pick up my checks. We live at the same address."
PM: "I never said that. [gee, are you calling me a liar?] Nobody can pick up another employee's check."
Mom: "We live together and would be happy to provide proof [although all the proof they need is in the listed address] What if I'm not in when checks are distributed?"
PM: "Then we'll mail it to you."

We're not really going to push the issue as we have no idea who to ask (and hopefully it won't become a recurring problem), but I would love to get some clarification about this...I would think that a signed authorization would be sufficient if both parties live together.

[RealUnimportant]

I can see why it could be logical, but I can also see how it could come back & bite them on the ass if cohabiting co-workers stopped being cordial...

[Cia]

Ask them to provide written proof of the policy.

My personal policy is that the employee has to give me a signed letter stating whose picking up the check and the dates it covers. I also tell them that I will be asking for picture ID from the person picking up the check. We're a tiny company so I can decide my own policies. :-)

[Dreamstalker]

That makes sense. I'd think that if they have two employees residing at the same address (and who have each other as their emergency contacts), they would allow proxy pickup of checks so they can make sure X gets theirs if they are sick--it would save them a stamp having to mail it and in the case of erratic mail service avoid claims of "you never paid me!".

My old store would let mom pick up my checks if I forgot or was out of town, no signature needed. J told me a lot of departments are still trying to figure out the best way to do things, so this might be one of those cases (I am going to see if either mom or I can get clarification).

[raudf]

Dad picked up my checks all the time when we worked together at the repair center, but that's because the manager wasn't renowned for following policies that he thought were stupid and he knew I couldn't make an hour drive to pick up a check and none of management would be in on Saturdays. He also hated mailing things himself and didn't trust the other clerks with the payroll checks...